Product certification policies

In order to provide confidence and demonstrate the impartiality of our certification processes, BSI believes in the principle of openness, while respecting the strict confidentiality of customer data derived from its clients.

Quality policy

It is the company’s policy to grow the business through delivering consistent, flexible services satisfying our customers’ needs and maximising our potential in our markets.

This policy is underpinned by our Key Performance Values:

Delivery Striving for superior performance, achieving challenging objectives and profitably growing the top line in a creative, collaborative and innovative way;

Inspirational LeadershipDemonstrating passion for the business; communicating, sharing and acting upon a meaningful vision for the future;

Proactive with peopleLeading by example, uncompromising in the drive for improved performance and management of under-performance, supportive in the development of others, encouraging talent and creating opportunities for people to learn;

IntegrityEnsuring that business dealings are conducted in accordance with the BSI Group Rules and Group policy documents and in an ethical manner, demonstrating respect for others within a diverse cultural environment, that does not tolerate prejudice or discrimination;

Commercial FocusDisplaying a clear understanding of our customers and recognising the need for change and adding value.

BSI is committed to maintaining a quality management system, incorporating all accreditation requirements, which supports this quality policy and our Key Performance Values and encourages a culture of continuous process improvement throughout the business.

Business policy

ImpartialityThe aim of certification is to inspire confidence from the public and interested parties that an organisation certified by BSI fulfils specified requirements. This confidence depends upon many factors including the competence of management and staff, impartiality and the perception of impartiality and the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To that end, BSI follows the principles set out in ISO/IEC 17021-1: 2006 and has appropriate processes to safeguard BSI's impartiality.

Certification statusBSI provides publicly accessible information about the certification status of each of its clients through the Certificate and Client Directory. This shows whether a certificate or Licence is current, and may also show if a certificate or Licence is suspended or has been withdrawn in the last month.

Suspension PolicyBSI does not, in the normal course of events, suspend certified clients and will only do so under exceptional circumstances and on a case by case basis. Under suspension, the relevant certification is invalid until the suspension is lifted. Such suspension may be made clear on the BSI client directory.

Appeals ProcessIf you are a certified client of BSI and have a dispute concerning your certification and which you have been unable to resolve either through your Scheme Manager, or with the local management of your BSI Healthcare and Testing Services office, you may appeal in writing to the Managing Director of BSI.

Regardless of country location, following the receipt of an appeal, an independent appeal panel will be appointed which is independent of the issue under consideration. A meeting of the appeals panel and the interested parties will be convened as soon as practicable. Evidence from all parties will be heard in confidence and the appeals panel will make a final and conclusive decision which will be notified in writing to BSI and the Appellant.

ComplaintsBSI takes complaints against itself and its clients seriously.

Complaints about BSI should be submitted in writing, to the Managing Director of BSI Healthcare and Testing Services. We will ensure we understand your concerns fully and deal with the complaint fairly and promptly. You will be kept informed of progress and we will reply as soon as the complaint been fully investigated.

Complaints about a registered client should also be submitted in writing. Having confirmed that the subject client is registered by BSI Product Services, we will ensure that they are taking appropriate action and confirm how the issue has been dealt with during a subsequent audit of the client. For this reason, these complaints may take longer to fully resolve.

Public Knowledge of ComplaintsBSI will not make complaints against itself or any of its client’s public unless required to do so by a court of law.